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Kenya national football team facts for kids

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Kenya
Nickname(s) Harambee Stars
Association Football Kenya Federation (FKF)
Confederation CAF (Africa)
Sub-confederation CECAFA (Central & East Africa)
Head coach Engin Fırat
Captain Michael Olunga
Most caps Musa Otieno (90)
Top scorer William Ouma (35)
Home stadium Moi International Sports Centre
FIFA code KEN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 106 Decrease 1 (7 February 2019)
Highest 68 (December 2008)
Lowest 137 (July 2007)
Elo ranking
Current 108 Increase 2 (3 March 2019)
Highest 60 (November 1983)
Lowest 140 (August 2011)
First international
 Kenya 1–1 Uganda 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)
Biggest win
 Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961)
Biggest defeat
 Uganda 13–1 Kenya 
(Uganda; 1932)
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances 7 (first in 1972)
Best result Group stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2019)
Four Nations Football Tournament
Appearances 1 (first in 2024)
Best result Champions (2024)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances 2 (first in 2013)
Best result Group stage (2013, 2024)

The Kenya national football team, also known as the Harambee Stars, plays for Kenya in association football. The team is managed by the Football Kenya Federation. They are part of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). The Harambee Stars usually play their home games at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, the capital city.

About the Harambee Stars Name

The team's nickname, the Harambee Stars, comes from the word Harambee. This is a special Kenyan tradition. It means people come together to help each other, like for fundraising or community projects. In Swahili, "Harambee" means "all pull together." It is also the official motto of Kenya and can be seen on the country's coat of arms.

Team History and Milestones

In 2004, FIFA temporarily stopped Kenya from playing international football. This happened because of problems with how the football federation was being run. The ban was lifted after Kenya agreed to make new rules.

Later, in 2006, Kenya was suspended again for similar issues. FIFA said the ban would stay until the federation followed earlier agreements.

Kenya successfully qualified for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The coach at that time was Sébastien Migné. Under his leadership, Kenya's FIFA ranking improved, moving back into the top 100 teams worldwide.

In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a deal with Mafro Sports. This company provides the uniforms for all national teams, including the junior teams. The home jerseys are red, away jerseys are white, and green jerseys are for games played at neutral locations.

On September 8, 2018, Kenya achieved a big win. They beat Ghana, a team that had won the African championship four times, with a score of 1–0.

Coaches of the National Team

Ray Batchelor was the first coach for the national team in 1961. However, some players were not happy with his coaching. This led to him leaving the team during a game in Zanzibar. In 1963, after Kenya became independent, Peter Oronge took over as coach. But he disappeared just before a friendly game against Ghana in 1965. Ray Batchelor had to step in as an emergency coach. That game was Kenya's biggest loss, with Ghana winning 13–2.

Here is a list of coaches who have led the team since 1961:

  • England Ray Batchelor (1961)
  • Kenya Peter Oronge (1963)
  • England Ray Batchelor (1965)
  • England Jack Gibbons (1966)
  • Kenya Elijah Lidonde (1967)
  • West Germany Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
  • Kenya Jonathan Niva (1972)
  • England Ray Wood (1975)
  • Poland Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
  • Kenya Stephen Yongo (1979)
  • Kenya Marshall Mulwa (1980–83)
  • West Germany Bernhard Zgoll (1984)
  • Germany Reinhard Fabisch (1987, 1997, 2001–02)
  • Kenya Christopher Makokha (1988)
  • Morocco Mohammed Kheri (1988–90, 1995, 2005)
  • Austria Gerry Saurer (1992)
  • Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Vojo Gardašević (1996)
  • Kenya Abdul Majid (1998)
  • Nigeria Christian Chukwu (1998)
  • Kenya James Siang'a (1999–00)
  • Kenya Joe Kadenge (2002)
  • Kenya Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04, 2007–08, 2010, 2020–2021)
  • Kenya Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05, 2009–10)
  • France Bernard Lama (2006)
  • Kenya Tom Olaba (2006)
  • Kenya Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08)
  • Kenya Francis Kimanzi (2008–09, 2011–12)
  • Germany Antoine Hey (2009)
  • Kenya Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11)
  • France Henri Michel (2012)
  • Kenya James Nandwa (2012–13)
  • Algeria Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
  • Scotland Bobby Williamson (2014–16)
  • Kenya Stanley Okumbi (2016–17, 2018)
  • Belgium Paul Put (2017–2018)
  • France Sébastien Migné (2018–2019)
  • Kenya Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020)
  • Kenya Kennedy Odhiambo (2021)
  • Turkey Engin Fırat (2021–present)

Recent Match Results

Here are the results from the last year of matches. Also, any games planned for the future are listed.

      Win       Draw       Loss       Fixture

Matches in 2023

Matches in 2024

Current Players in the Squad

Here are the players chosen for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.

The number of games played (caps) and goals scored are correct as of June 30, 2024. This was after the match against Comoros.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Bryne Odhiambo (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) 7 0 Kenya Bandari
1GK Dolph Junior (2003-12-08) 8 December 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Kenya Gor Mahia
1GK Ibrahim Wanzala (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Kenya Kakamega Homeboyz

2DF Alphonce Omija (2002-10-09) 9 October 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Oman Dhofar Club
2DF Sylvester Owino (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 24) 2 0 Kenya Gor Mahia
2DF Amos Wanjala 2 0 Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona
2DF Paul Ochuoga (2004-09-13) 13 September 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Kenya Gor Mahia
2DF Geoffrey Onyango 1 0 Kenya Kariobangi Sharks

3MF Rooney Onyango (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 23) 9 1 Kenya Gor Mahia
3MF Chris Erambo (2004-12-10) 10 December 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Kenya Tusker
3MF Austin Odhiambo (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 25) 3 1 Kenya Gor Mahia
3MF John Ochieng (2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Zambia Zanaco
3MF Kayci Odhiambo (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 22) 2 0 Kenya AFC Leopards
3MF Patrick Otieno (2000-12-24) 24 December 2000 (age 24) 2 1 Kenya Posta Rangers
3MF Aldrine Kibet (2006-06-13) 13 June 2006 (age 19) 1 0 Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona
3MF Stanley Wilson 1 0 Kenya Kariobangi Sharks
3MF William Gitamu 0 0 Kenya Bandari
3MF Elly Owande 0 0 Kenya Migori Youth

4FW Benson Omala (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 (age 23) 5 1 Lebanon Safa
4FW Alfred Tanui (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Kenya Talanta
4FW Hassan Beja (2005-08-26) 26 August 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Kenya AFC Leopards
4FW Jeremy Bissau 0 0 England Brooke House College
4FW Moses Shummah (2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Kenya Kakamega Homeboyz

Players Recently Called Up

These players have also been called to the Kenya squad in the last year.


Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Brian Bwire (2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 25) 2 0 Kenya Tusker 2024 COSAFA CupPRE
GK Patrick Matasi (1987-12-11) 11 December 1987 (age 37) 37 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
GK Ian Otieno (1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 31) 7 0 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
GK Joseph Ochuka (1993-12-23) 23 December 1993 (age 31) 0 0 Kenya Bandari v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023

DF Johnstone Omurwa (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 26) 19 0 Portugal Estrela da Amadora v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Aboud Omar (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32) 48 0 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Erick Otieno (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 28) 42 0 Poland Raków Częstochowa v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Joseph Okumu (1997-05-26) 26 May 1997 (age 28) 23 1 France Reims v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Collins Sichenje (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Serbia Vojvodina v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Daniel Anyembe (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 8 0 Denmark Viborg v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Amos Nondi (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 26) 12 1 Armenia Ararat-Armenia v.  Zimbabwe; 26 March 2024
DF Daniel Sakari (1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 26) 16 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF Dennis Ng'ang'a (1993-09-03) 3 September 1993 (age 31) 2 0 Zambia Zanaco v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF Nabilai Kibunguchy (1998-01-05) 5 January 1998 (age 27) 1 0 United States Orlando City B v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF Haniff Wesonga (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Kenya Kenya Commercial Bank v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF David Ochieng (1992-10-07) 7 October 1992 (age 32) 40 2 Kenya Mathare United v.  South Sudan; 12 September 2023

MF Teddy Akumu (1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 32) 60 1 Japan Sagan Tosu v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Eric Johanna Omondi (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 30) 37 4 Romania UTA Arad v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Kenneth Muguna (1996-01-06) 6 January 1996 (age 29) 35 2 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Duke Abuya (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 31) 15 1 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Richard Odada (2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 24) 17 1 Scotland Dundee United v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Timothy Ouma (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 21) 6 0 Sweden IF Elfsborg v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Ayub Masika (1992-09-10) 10 September 1992 (age 32) 32 5 Azerbaijan Sabail v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF Duncan Otieno (1994-05-26) 26 May 1994 (age 31) 13 1 Zambia Lusaka Dynamos v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF Alfred Scriven (1998-01-26) 26 January 1998 (age 27) 2 0 Norway Hødd v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF Alpha Chris Onyango (2000-12-23) 23 December 2000 (age 24) 0 0 Kenya Gor Mahia v.  Russia; 16 October 2023

FW Michael Olunga (captain) (1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 31) 60 29 Qatar Al-Duhail v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
FW John Avire (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 28) 6 1 Egypt Porto Suez v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
FW Masoud Juma (1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 29) 22 8 Saudi Arabia Al-Jabalain v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
FW Clifton Miheso (1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 32) 46 7 Kenya Gor Mahia v.  Russia; 16 October 2023
FW Hassan Abdallah (1996-07-06) 6 July 1996 (age 28) 19 6 Kenya Bandari v.  South Sudan; 12 September 2023
FW Elvis Rupia (1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 30) 4 1 Kenya Kenya Police v.  South Sudan; 12 September 2023

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary/Standby squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

Team Records

These tables show the players with the most games played and the most goals scored for Kenya.

Players in bold are still playing for Kenya.

Most Games Played (Caps)

Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Musa Otieno 90 9 1993–2009
2 Jonathan Niva 88 10 1965–1976
3 Allan Thigo 81 11 1969–1978
4 John Nyawanga 80 17 1965–1976
5 Dennis Oliech 76 34 2002–2015
6 Robert Mambo Mumba 72 13 2000–2009
7 Titus Mulama 71 8 2001–2012
8 Francis Onyiso 70 0 1996–2011
9 Wilberforce Mulamba 68 14 1978–1988
James Siang'a 68 0 1963–1975

Top Goal Scorers

Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 William Ouma 35 66 0.53 1965–1977
2 Dennis Oliech 34 76 0.45 2002–2015
3 Elijah Lidonde 33 26 1.27 1950–1961
4 Michael Olunga 30 62 0.48 2015–present
5 Ali Kajo 26 32 0.81 1959–1969
Livingstone Madegwa 26 49 0.53 1964–1972
7 Joe Kadenge 25 63 0.4 1957–1970
8 John Baraza 21 52 0.4 2002–2011
9 Daniel Nicodemus 17 34 0.5 1963–1972
Mike Origi 17 48 0.35 1990–2004
John Nyawanga 17 80 0.21 1965–1976

Tournament History

FIFA World Cup Appearances

FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1962 to 1970 Did not enter Declined participation
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 8
Argentina 1978 2 0 1 1 0 1
Spain 1982 2 1 0 1 3 6
Mexico 1986 4 1 1 2 6 10
Italy 1990 6 1 3 2 2 4
United States 1994 2 1 0 1 2 4
France 1998 8 4 1 3 13 14
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 1 1 0 2
Germany 2006 12 4 2 6 11 17
South Africa 2010 12 4 1 7 13 16
Brazil 2014 8 3 3 2 11 5
Russia 2018 4 2 1 1 6 4
Qatar 2022 6 1 3 2 4 9
Canada Mexico United States 2026 To be determined 4 1 2 1 7 3
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/16 77 25 20 32 86 102

African Nations Championship

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not qualify
Sudan 2011
South Africa 2014
Rwanda 2016
Morocco 2018
Cameroon 2020
Algeria 2022
KenyaTanzaniaUganda 2024 Qualified as co-hosts
Total TBD 1/8 0 0 0 0 0 0

Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to United Arab Republic 1959 Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1962 to Sudan 1970 Did not qualify
Cameroon 1972 Group stage 5th 3 0 2 1 3 4
Egypt 1974 to Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984 Did not enter
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify
Morocco 1988 Group stage 8th 3 0 1 2 0 6
Algeria 1990 8th 3 0 1 2 0 3
Senegal 1992 9th 2 0 0 2 1 5
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify
South Africa 1996 Withdrew
Burkina Faso 1998 to Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 6
Egypt 2006 to Gabon 2017 Did not qualify
Egypt 2019 Group stage 17th 3 1 0 2 3 7
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 2023 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Morocco 2025 To be determined
KenyaTanzaniaUganda 2027 Qualified as co-hosts
2029 To be determined
Total Group stage 7/36 17 2 4 11 11 31

African Games

Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
Kenya 1987 2nd 5 2 2 1 7 6

Team Achievements

Continental Honors

  • African Games
    • 2 Silver medal (1) : 1987

Regional Honors

  • CECAFA Cup
    • 1 Winners (7): 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017
    • 2 Runners-up (7): 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012
    • 3 Runners-up (6): 1978, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2003

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Kenia para niños

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